In early 2024, I traveled to Southern California to spend four days in San Diego to escape the chill of a northeastern winter and soak up some sun. While I’ve spent time in most of California’s other major cities, I'd never visited San Diego before, and was unsure what to expect. … [Read more...] about Four Days in San Diego: The Highlights
architecture
Chicago Architecture Highlights: 5 Must-Dos
Several American cities hold a special place in my heart, but when it comes to indulging my appreciation for great architecture, Chicago stands head and shoulder above its peers. This Midwestern city, with its rich history and occasionally tumultuous past, is also home to some seriously gorgeous buildings and innovative structures. So on a recent solo visit, I took the … [Read more...] about Chicago Architecture Highlights: 5 Must-Dos
Hearst Castle: Scenes from San Simeon’s Shangri-La
This is Hearst Castle: opulent, obsessive, and almost obscene. It's a must-see stop in San Simeon along California's Pacific Coast Highway. I'd wanted to visit Hearst Castle for ages, having first heard about it because of my appreciation for Orson Welles' cinematic masterpiece Citizen Kane. For those in the dark, the film is based on the life of William Randolph Hearst, the … [Read more...] about Hearst Castle: Scenes from San Simeon’s Shangri-La